Here's why comparing the failure of the Iraqi parliament to get anything done and the failure of the Democratic Congress to get anything done is offensive: The United States is not paying billions of dollars and sacrificing the bodies and lives of men and women in order to create "political space" to get things done in Washington.
I've resisted the bullshit argument that the US won the war, but the Iraqis couldn't keep the peace. This is bullshit. But, also bullshit is that these motherfuckers plan on taking August off. So we're going to spend a month of treasure and lives creating safe space in Baghdad while these mofos will be on vacation.
This fact could be used be the Dems to argue that we already know what the September progress report will say, given that there will be very little political movement between now and then. Will they be able to pull this off, or will our 30 hours of debate be the Reps attacking the Dems for failing to accomplish anything either and the Dems weakly coming back at them?
And while I am ranting, I notice that the Generals have already pushed the date when we'll be able to know if the surge is working to next March. I remember watching the Sunday shows (something I rarely do, because I am not up that early on the West Coast) in early Feb. while I was helping out in Columbus. I was promised that we'd see immediate results with the surge and we'd know by March (2007) if it was working. Then it was early summer, maybe July, 2007. Then the big September report. We'll know in September. We'll see results by September alright. Now, of course, we've learned that September is just a check in. Will we be making progress by September (oh, let me guess "yes.")? Then, we heard that after the September check-in, we'll definitely see progress by December. The end of the year. Might even be able to think about drawing down the troops. Success by December. Now we have next March. Jesus "Fucking" Christ.
Jesus "Fucking" Christ.
Monday, July 16, 2007
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2 comments:
A couple of months ago (or maybe it was a year ago), you seemed tempted by the view that the US couldn't permissibly withdraw so long as that withdrawal would lead to a bloodbath. Have you repudiated that view? (I don't ask as a gotcha, but because I've got Hotel Rwanda in my head right now)
Good question. I do fear a bloodbath should the US withdraw. I am not even necessarily calling for withdrawal (I don't think. Let me check my post). Maybe I am. My main project, however, it to try to counter the GOP talking points and express my frustration at the surge.
I think about six months ago, you may have found me leaning toward a Bidenesque "all or nothing at all" plan. From what I have read, anyone talking sense about this war has said we need around 1 million troops on the ground in order to have a chance at stability in Iraq. This is, of course, politically impossible, so we are given half-ass plans like the surge.
But, at this point in time, the administration has made it clear that they listen to no one outside of the circle, so it doesn't really matter what you and I think. I believe that we are free to keep criticizing the president and the surge because they are ignoring reality, yet have absolutely no interest in learning about it.
What do you all think?
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